Chlumany combines a location in the picturesque valley of the Šumava foothills with specific themes for a stay: hiking in the surrounding forests, seasonal swimming, a market featuring local products, as well as village traditions and places of remembrance. Which of these you focus on depends above all on when you travel and your interests. For a summer visit, the multi-purpose pool and its grassy beach are relevant; if you would like to visit the market, plan around its monthly date.

Landscape, Getting Around and Swimming

Chlumany lies in a picturesque valley in the foothills of the Šumava. The forests around the village are suitable for hiking and offer nature lovers a tangible connection to the surrounding area. For orientation, Chlumany is 2 km from Vlachovo Březí in the direction of Vimperk. Hiking is therefore a nature activity in its own right, alongside the local swimming facilities.

During the summer months, the local multi-purpose pool is available for swimming. There is a well-maintained grassy beach by the pool. This means time in the surrounding forests can be combined with an explicitly seasonal swimming option. If swimming is a key part of your trip, check in advance whether the pool is currently open.

Market and Local Products

The Chlumanský trh takes place from May to October on the first Saturday of each month. If you are planning your trip around the market, check the specific dates in advance and use this monthly schedule as a guide. The market focuses exclusively on local products and locally made goods; the specific selection may vary from one date to another. So if you have a particular type of product in mind, take the market date into account and do not expect the same range at every event.

Village Traditions

The traditional Masopust includes a masked procession through the village square and ends with a dance event. Another regional tradition is Konopická, an old form of village entertainment reserved for girls and women and associated with the flax harvest—originally hemp. Together, the two traditions reflect different cultural aspects of Chlumany: the Masopust is defined by its procession and dance, while Konopická centres on village entertainment and the harvest.

Places of Remembrance and Travel History

Local history and remembrance are also part of the village’s character. A monument to the soldiers who fell in the First World War stands in the small park in the centre. The birthplace of traveller František Vyšata–Čech, house No. 61, bears a commemorative plaque; Vyšata–Čech was a traveller and the author of travel accounts about South America. The two memorials have different scopes: the monument honours those who fell, while the plaque commemorates the life of an individual traveller. In this way, memorial culture and travel history add further perspectives on Chlumany to its nature and village traditions.

For an overview of the wider destination: Prachatice District.